Not a fan of emoticons with text labels.

[wilfred]

/.

[Fsck]

I don't mind them too much. 

[mikeselectricstuff]

Having text sort of defeats the point...

[c4757p]

The ones I don't like are the big ones.  is fine because it fits inline, but  :brainfart: is just annoying.

[andersm]

Not a fan of emoticons, period. The animations are hugely distracting, and too many people are using them as a substitute for writing clearly.

[steve30]

I've always liked them. Though I do agree that it kinda defeats the original point.

[alm]

Not a fan of emoticons, period. The animations are hugely distracting, and too many people are using them as a substitute for writing clearly.

Agreed.

All the animations also make the reply page really slow on some mobile devices.

[gxti]

You can disable display of emoticons in your account settings under "Profile -> Look and Layout", although regrettably it will not fix the bad writing.

[vlf3]

Well I have to own up using them on occasions, normally I don't but recently, found myself using them... it might be a senility thing ?

[c4757p]

too many people are using them as a substitute for writing clearly.

I'll own up to that. I do have a tendency to sound like a rambling fool now and again.

[Fraser]

These graphics can help avoid misunderstandings if used sparingly. Plain text can sometimes be read as rude or aggressive, when only harmless fun is intended. The little graphic heads sometimes makes the intention clear, a little smiley is a friendly intention. I am not a fan of the animated ones though. I have to admit that I have used  because he is kind of fun 

[Fsck]

These graphics can help avoid misunderstandings if used sparingly. Plain text can sometimes be read as rude or aggressive, when only harmless fun is intended. The little graphic heads sometimes makes the intention clear, a little smiley is a friendly intention. I am not a fan of the animated ones though. I have to admit that I have used  because he is kind of fun 

I've never actually encountered that emoticon until this forum and I have to say it's my favorite.

[EEVblog]

The ones I don't like are the big ones.  is fine because it fits inline, but  :brainfart: is just annoying.

yeah, I don't like those either, but added them to see what people think.
I'll take those big ones out, and add smaller

[c4757p]

What about just the face without the text? You can just type " WTF" instead.

[EEVblog]

What about just the face without the text? You can just type " WTF" instead.

You can always chose!

[c4757p]

Yeah, but it's not quite the same face. I kind of like that one, actually...